Improvement in butter-packages



UNITED STATES VIRGIL A. FENNER, OF

PATENT OFFICE.

SHERMAN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN BUTTER-PACKAGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 171,928, dated January 11, 1876; application tiled f June 1o, 1875.

To all whom tmay concern: Y

Be it known that l, VIRGIL ARTHUR FEN- NER, of Sherman, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have made certainl Improvements in Butter-Packages, of which the following isa specification:

This invention relates to a Wooden box or carrier, divided into compartments by longitudinal shelves or trays, each compartment filled with open wooden boxes, Which contain the butter, all as hereinafter specified and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view; Fig. 2,2111 end View, in section; Figs. 3 and 4, detail views.

A represents the outer carrier or box, made of Wood, with a hinged cover, A', which is fastened down or locked in any suitable manner. This box is divided into compartments B B B (see Fig. 2) by removable shelves or trays a a. Each shelf is set on the top of a series of wooden boxes or butter-holders, b b b, and the bottoms of these boxes rest on the shelvesor trays beneath.

The butter-boxes are the main feature of my invention, being made of thin strips of wood, and bent into squares, like those in Fig. l, or oblong', round, or other shapes, as shown in the other figures of the drawings. These single strips, after being bent into shape, Will have their two ends fastened together. They Will take but little extra space in the carrier, will be made to hold a given amount of butter, and will fit closely together. When taken out they gowith the butter, and

. the carrier or outer case A is returned to thev factory or parties sending it.

These open boxes can be thrown away, as their expense is so slight that there will be no need of keeping them.

Strings, tapes, or straps will be attached to each shelf or tray, so that the whole layer can be removed at once, if desired.

The advantages of this carrier are as follows: First, economy to the packer, as the inside packages will cost little or nothing, not ,over fifteen cents for one hundred pounds of butter,land the outer case A, being returnable, will last for a long time; next, economy to the retailer, who, by the use of the boxes, will save in butter, now lost by that which adheres to the sides of other packages. By their use the retailer can readily Weigh out as i many pounds as he buys. Next, convenience to the packer, being easily filled, easily kept cool, and readily examined to ascertain condition.

Convenience to the retailer is got from 'the packages being small, and of nearly uniform size; or, if preferred, of various sizes in the same ease. He can, therefore, with little loss of. time or trouble, suit any customer in amount. He can also remove one or more trays to a refrigerator, leaving the rest in cellar; 0r he can use the outside carrier as a refrigerator, and cool with ice; or, the case be- 'ing water-tight, he can keep the butter4 in an ice-cold pickle at all times, if desired.

In extremely Warm Weather the butter can be shipped long distances in these packages by putting ice in place of one or more of the boxes b b, or by putting in an ice-cold pickle before starting.

The center boxes b b may be made larger, and of tin, or other sheet metal, to hold ice in extreme warm weather.

Every part of the package can be readily examined by the retailer or purchaser, so as to guard against fraud in the packing.

The amount of dead-weight77 for transportation is less than with most packages.

boxes is not material, as convenience in inakare intended each to hold from one (1) to ten (l0) pounds of butter, to suit different purchasers, and thereby save trouble and Waste in cutting up. better.

The size or shape of the box A A is not material, as it will be varied to suit the business of users or shippers.

I claim- The combination, substantially as described, of the case A A, the removable shelves or trays a c, and the independently and separately removable boxes b b, having open tops and bottoms, as and for the purpose specified.

' In witness whereof I have hereunto ,signed my name .in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

V. A. FENNER.

Witnesses:

J. It. DEAKE,

F. H. PARSONS.

The shape of the butter-receptacles or open,

ing and packing is the principal thing. They The butter will also look much 

